Viva Italia!
“Follow your own star!†– Dante Alighieri
The well-meaning friends of Italian Ambassador Massimo Roscigno arranged a welcome dinner for him hosted by yours truly at Tin Hau, Mandarin Oriental Manila’s famous restaurant that serves authentic and exquisite Chinese dishes. This celebration happened a month after the Italian ambassador visited Malacañang to present his credentials to the Chief Executive.
A superb selection of vintage champagnes and cocktail fare was served, followed by a delectable 15-course dinner specially created in honor of the ambassador and his lovely wife Agnes Roscigno.
The occasion was also a heartwarming reunion for Massimo’s friends who have known each other as far as 30 years ago. Among those seen hobnobbing that evening were Ambassadors Bill Tweddell of Australia, Ton Boon von Ochssée of the Netherlands and Guy Ledoux of the European Union with their spouses and fashion designer Patis Tesoro.
Ai miei amici Massimo e Agnes, bentornati nelle Filippine!
Sayonara, Kumiko
Honorary Consul to Tanzania Betty Chua hosted a farewell dinner for her good friend Kumiko Kuroda, wife of Asian Development Bank (ADB) president Haruhiko Kuroda, at Tin Hau in Mandarin Oriental Manila.
Kumiko bid her friends goodbye before returning to her home country with her husband, who was appointed as the next governor of the Bank of Japan. The former ADB president was also conferred the Order of Sikatuna with the rank of Datu Katangiang Ginto by President Benigno Aquino III.
Congratulations and best wishes to the couple from your friends here in Manila!
Greetings
Happy birthday to our celebrators today, STAR’s Pepper Teehankee and E-International Group chairman Dr. Elton See Tan.
Advance birthday greetings to Alicia Flores of Silay and Cinderella’s Therese Coronel-Santos, April 15; Geronimo de los Reyes, architect Ramon Antonio, gracious lady Gloria Angara and FLEHD president Dr. Adolfo Bellosillo, April 16; STAR’s Lifestyle editor Millet Mananquil, businessman Charlie Rufino, Splendido’s Katrina Ponce-Enrile, April 17; Lopez Group of Companies chairman Oscar Lopez and Stephanie Palma Gil, April 19 and Marilou Lovina, April 20.
Happy wedding anniversary to Celuch and Bonggoy Manahan, April 18. May you have many cherished years together.
Belated birthday greetings to Ruby Banares, April 12.
So, how was your week?
(For comments or inquiries, please e-mail me at jjlitton@indanet.com.)
